BakeSpace.com Member ForumsWelcome to the BakeSpace.com forums. If you are already a BakeSpace member, you will need to register for a forum account to start posting. Once you register, please email us at babette@bakespace.com so that we may quickly activate your forum account.

One of my favorite gifts that I recieved for Christmas from my oldest daughter this year. I just had to share the info with my wine buddies! Besides, I thought it would be fun to start reviews on any wine books that we try out.

"Wine & Food Pairings Cookbook"
by the editors of WineEnthusiast magazine
$29.99 at wineenthusiast.com
$21.58 at Amazon.com (free supersaving shipping)
(I'm sure there are other deals out there I only did a quick search)

Although I'm not one to "collect" cookbooks, I have to say I was thrilled to recieve this informative, and seemingly useful, cookbook. For the first time (EVER) I sat down just to browse through it, but ended up reading it from cover to cover in the first setting! (Yeah, it's that good).

It starts off with food and wine parings in general, kind of eases you into the subject. It's a very "easy read" (laymen terms vs. wine snob rantings)For those (like me) who are just starting to ease into the vast world of wine, especially paring and or cooking with food/flavors, this is a wonderful starter book. (I'm sure there are great ones out there, I just haven't begun to look yet)

After the intro, they have grouped the wines/recipes according to wine types (as opposed to wine varietals), which was most helpful, in my opinion. Each section talks a bit about the wine type (white, roses/blushes, red fuller body wines and finally, sparkling wines and champagnes) Then they offer a few different recipes in each category (some recipes contain wine, some do not, which I also liked) then they offer the wine paring suggestion and tell you why that wine works well with the dish. At the end of each section they follow up with a bit more about that particular wine type before moving on to the next one. (helped me with retention, there's so much to absorb lol)

I was a bit nervous and skeptical about a wine paring "cookbook", but I was pleasantly surprised to see everything from "normal" dishes (for lack of a better term) to fancy dancy top-chef level type dishes. (Sorry, but we're not all culinary experts like Shane right? LOL, dude you know I luv ya )

I'm looking forward to reading it again and also trying out some of the yummy recipes (ya know, the holidays were a bit too busy to play) By reading the recipes I've already began to learn what foods to try with certain wine types which I was the most excited about. I'm sure that will help somewhat in the wine tasting club I'll try to use it as a reference or post recipes if we have choose a wine that is mentioned in the book. k?

Actually, I'm excited to try out some of this stuff and of course, I'll share with ya the results of my experimentations (the good as well as the bad LOL)

That sounds like a GREAT book.... I have one that pairs dessert and wine... I am not big on dessert and wine together so I thought I would give it a shot... Still haven't opened it.... _________________~ Shane

Cookbook Cafe is a do-it-yourself digital publishing platform that enables anyone to create, market and sell their very own cookbook to the world for profit or fundraising.With our easy-to-use cookbook builder, you can publish your own beautifully interactive cookbook as both a Web-based eBook and iPad App. The builder also makes it easy to crowdsource recipes and include content from family members, friends and co-workers -- whether they're in the next room or halfway around the globe.